Since the Franklin Theatre reopened June 3, there’s been plenty of cause for celebration. Not only did local residents get their beloved movie house back — it closed in 2007 after 70 years in business — but it turns out they’ve also gained a first-class music venue, too.

Since reopening in June, the renovated theater has quickly made a name for itself as one of the area’s premier concert destinations, with new state-of-the-art sound and lights and a uniquely intimate vibe.

Its fall concert schedule hits the ground running with a slate of weekly shows that rival the calendars of some established Nashville venues just up I-65. On Saturday night, the theater welcomes revered folk singer/songwriter Loudon Wainwright III, and it rounds out the month with shows from country couple Joey + Rory, roots-rock vets Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (which is already sold out) and a two-night residency by local pop/soul singer-songwriter Dave Barnes.

“It sounds crazy, but we would love to be one of the best intimate venues in the world,” says Sara Preston, programming director. “And it’s just a cool setting there on Main Street. It’s like a Walt Disney set.”

Unexpected offerings

The theater’s not just drawing on the charm of its surroundings, but also from its talent pool. as well. Many of its recent performers, from Keb’ Mo’ to Nanci Griffith and Michael W. Smith, have been local residents, and many of them are getting the chance to do something more than the average show.

“That’s the kind of creative programming they’re doing over there,” Scott says. “They’re seeking out things that even in my case are not the normal thing that I do.”

On stage, Scott says, the theater feels more intimate than its 300-seat capacity, with a “dynamic range” that allows him to bring his sound down to a whisper without the audience missing a note.

“That’s going to be one of the key standout features for the Franklin Theatre,” he says. “It supplies an intimacy for the performers with their audience that most venues just don’t have.”

That intimacy hasn’t been lost on loyal patrons like Jennifer Russell, a Franklin resident who’s even attended theater concerts by artists she wasn’t familiar with, like acoustic bluesman Keb’ Mo’.

“He was right in front of me,” she says. “It was awesome, like he was in my living room.”

It was a show Russell likely wouldn’t have seen if Keb’ Mo’ had chosen to play anywhere else in the area. She says she hasn’t made a trip to Nashville since last May — and that was to the airport, not a concert.

“It’s nothing wrong. Thirty minutes (to drive) just seems like forever. And it’s just so cool to have it right here in downtown, with restaurants. You park, you walk, you eat, go to the show and go somewhere else. It’s a great crowd of people, and you always see someone you know.”

In the months to come, Preston and the rest of the staff will foster that homegrown following with shows from John Anderson, Pat McLaughlin, Sam Bush and a new concert series called “Jazz Music City.”

It won’t be a small task, but so far, at least one part of the job hasn’t been too demanding.

“I think I’ve had to book a hotel twice (for performers) in three months, even with all of these big acts,” Preston says. “For these guys, this is home.”